PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: No prior systemic chemotherapy for advanced disease Prior fluorouracil or gemcitabine as radiosensitizer allowed No other prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent systemic steroids No concurrent hormonal therapy (excluding birth control pills) No concurrent steroids as antiemetics or for chronic treatment Radiotherapy: At least 1 month since prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Recovered from prior surgery Other: At least 1 week since prior beta blockers No concurrent chronic treatment with aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines, antianginal medication, extraordinary antihypertensive regimens, or antiarrhythmics (except cardiac glycosides)